Occupational Driving and Care of Trust Vehicles
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CORP/FAC 5 v.2 Occupational Driving and Care of Trust Vehicles This procedural document supersedes: CORP/FAC 5 v.1 – Occupational Driving and Care of Trust Vehicles Did you print this document yourself? The Trust discourages the retention of hard copies of policies and can only guarantee that the policy on the Trust website is the most up-to-date version. If, for exceptional reasons, you need to print a policy off, it is only valid for 24 hours. Author/review: (this version) Wayne Bramhall – NEPT and Fleet Management Date written: July 2014 Approved by (Committee/Group): Policy Approval and Compliance Group Date of approval: 22 October 2014 Date issued: 29 October 2014 Next review date: July 2017 Target audience: All Staff that drive on DBH Business Page 1 of 17 CORP/FAC 5 v.2 Amendment Form Version Date Issued Brief Summary of Changes Author Version 2 29 October Ref updated and re-designed W Bramhall 2014 Version 1 July 2012 This is a new procedural Document, please W Bramhall read in full. Page 2 of 17 CORP/FAC 5 v.2 Contents Page Section No. 1 Introduction 4 2 Policy Statement 4 3 Purpose 4 4 Scope 5 5 Equality Impact Assessment 5 6 Driver Regulations and Responsibilities 5 6.1 Seatbelts 6 6.2 Mobile Devices/Phone 6 6.3 Smoking 6 6.4 Road Safety (Duty of Care) 7 6.5 Health and Safety at Work Act 7 6.6 Road Safety Act 2006 7 6.7 Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 7 7 Vehicle Checks 8 7.1 External vehicle Checks 8 7.2 Internal vehicle Checks 8 7.3 Vehicle Monthly Record and Check Sheet 9 8 Driving Licence Categories 10 9 Department Responsibilities 11 9.1 Transport Department 11 9.2 General Managers 12 9.3 Department Managers 12 10 Authorisation to Drive Specific Vehicles 12 11 Driving Licence Checks 12 12 Driver Training 13 13 Vehicle Tracking 13 14 Accident / Incident Procedure 14 Accident Report Form 15 15 Breakdown 15 16 Transport of Dangerous Goods 15 17 Hire and Replacement Vehicles 16 18 Auditing 16 Appendix 1 Equality Impact Assessment Form 17 Page 3 of 17 CORP/FAC 5 v.2 1. INTRODUCTION Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust fleet consists of vehicles within the following categories: Cars, Patient Access Vehicles, Light Commercial Vans, Car Derived Vans, and Horticultural Vehicles. Policies and procedures outlined are also applicable to hire Vehicles, Lease Vehicles and Private Vehicles used on Trust business (Grey Fleet). The day-to-day management and running of this fleet represents a significant cost to the Trust, and there is a need to effectively manage and minimise these costs through fleet management and value for money procurement and operational procedures. LEGISLATIONS IS CONSTANTLY BEING UPDATING 2. POLICY STATEMENT Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acknowledges the inherent risks that driving poses to individuals, the organisation, the provision of our services, and to the NHS overall and is committed to reducing these risks as far as is reasonably practicable. At the very heart of this quality standard is the professionalism of its staff and the quality of their driving skills. This is underpinned by the selection process, driver training programmes, procedures for managing accidents and the accident reduction strategy. 3. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to: o To reduce the number of Road Traffic Collisions (RTC’s) relative to vehicles involved on Trust activities. o To ensure that standards of driving within the Trust are maintained to a high standard. o To ensure vehicles operated by the Trust are fit for purpose and maintained to a safe standard. o To ensure that the Trust’s vehicle resources are efficiently used and maintained. o To provide a constant approach to reporting and investigation of vehicle incidents. o To outline for staff and management their legal requirements and responsibilities with regards to driving to deliver a constant approach across all Departments, Directorates and Divisions. Page 4 of 17 CORP/FAC 5 v.2 4. SCOPE This policy applies to all members of staff who are required to drive vehicles on behalf of the Trust; it also applies to members of staff, Inc agency and volunteers driving private vehicles when acting on behalf of the Trust. Trust vehicles are only insured for Trust Business usage and cannot be used for any private Work or Hire or anything that is not Trust business. 5. EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT As part of its development, this policy and its impact on equality have been reviewed in consultation with the equality Impact Assessment Group. An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted in line with the principles of the Equality Impact Assessment Policy and the Fair treatment for all policy. The purpose of the EIA is to minimise and if possible remove any disproportionate impact on employees on the grounds of race, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or religious belief. No detriment was identified. (See Appendix 1). 6. DRIVER REGULATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Driver is Responsible by Law. The Driver is responsible for implementing safe driving practice, This is to include: . Ensuring that this policy is adhered to at all times. It is essential that all drivers use the daily Vehicle Check Sheet (see appendix) as a guidance to ensure the vehicle they drive, comply with safety requirements. Vehicles will be cleaned in accordance with the relevant clinical hygiene standards for that particular service. Adhering to current Road Traffic Legislations. Complying with your statutory duties. Taking care of your own Health and Safety and that of others who might be affected by your actions. Using vehicles correctly i.e. the completion of Vehicle Daily Inspections (VDI) and reporting of defects in line with Trust policy and legislative requirements. Ensuring their Driving Licences are kept current and in line with Trust requirements. Alerting the Trust as to any new licence endorsements or any health issues which may impact on your ability to drive Trust vehicles. Page 5 of 17 CORP/FAC 5 v.2 It must be emphasised that if staff receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP), or they receive any points to their licence MUST inform their manager immediately. This is a Legal Requirement and failure to comply could result in prosecution and personally liable. Trust vehicles MUST, at all times, be driven at a speed compatible with safety and with reasonable consideration for other road users. Trust drivers are governed by the same regulations as any other driver using the road and it is only when the need is justified that the legal exemptions can be applied. All Hospital Sites have a speed limit that must be adhered to in the same way as on the Highways, Staff is not exempt from any road traffic regulations. Speeding and Parking Offenses are the total Responsibility of the DRIVER 6.1 Seatbelts – (Driver Responsibility) Drivers must wear a seat belt at all times when driving Trust vehicles. Drivers or passengers caught without a seatbelt can face on-the- spot fines. 6.2 Mobile Devices/Phones – (Driver Responsibility) Drivers Must NOT: . Drive Whilst Holding a Mobile Device. Use a Mobile Device whilst behind the steering wheel. 6.3 Smoking – (Driver Responsibility) From 1st July 2007, all public places and workplaces (Work Vehicles) became smoke-free in England. In the interest of Trust Drivers and their passengers, smoking in Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust vehicles is NOT permitted. Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust operates a “No Smoking” policy restricting smoking whilst on duty or in and around Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust sites. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS COULD LEAD TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND PROSECUTION TAKEN AGAINST THE DRIVER Page 6 of 17 CORP/FAC 5 v.2 6.4 Road Safety – Duty of Care The law requires that you have proper control of your vehicle at all times and that you should not drink and drive, be under the influence of drugs, not use mobile phone whilst behind the wheel of the vehicle, not to smoke in Trust vehicles. It is your responsibility to drive safely. On a long journey, regular breaks will help reduce tiredness. When planning journeys always allow for likely congestion and weather conditions. Sufficient time should be allowed to make journeys as stress free as possible. You must be aware of the relevant content of: The Highway Code The Health and Safety at Work Act Road Safety Act 2006 Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 Many of the rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements and make essential reading. Copies can be obtained for reference from the Transport Department. 6.5 Health and Safety at Work Act States that drivers’ must co-operate with the employer to ensure Health and Safety compliance. Staff Driving Trust Vehicles Must at all times wear appropriate PPE - HV Vest or HV Coat whilst on Driving Duties, When Driving, working on / around the Vehicle, Highways, High Traffic Areas, Night Time and Limited Visibility areas, (Please remember Hospital Sites are classed as the Highway, as it is a public Thoroughfare, and has Road signs). http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/factsheets/clothing.htm 6.6 Road Safety Act 2006 th The Road Safety Bill was given Royal Assent on 8 November 2006. The Act contains a number of measures aimed at helping to improve safety on the roads of Great Britain and to help achieve targets for the reduction of casualty frequency and in particular revisions to the law relative to the use of mobile phones which is covered under the “Drivers” section of this document.